Portable work stand

ABSTRACT

A portable work stand including a table, having a frame, the frame having rails, stiles, and a crosstray, the cross tray located between the rails and attached on each end to a stile, the cross tray further having a pair of leg retaining slots formed in the bottom of the cross tray; a plurality of legs, the legs having a foot section and upright sections, the upright sections located at each end of the foot, the upright sections having ends adapted for rotatable attachment to the frame, the legs, when are positioned adjacent the frame, selectively mate with the leg retaining slot, retaining the legs in a folded position; a bag joined to and extending through the frame; and a cutting board adapted for selective attachment to the frame.

[0001] The invention herein is a portable work table, and more particularly it is portable collapsible table for cleaning fish, fowl, food preparation, or the like, which claims priority from a provisional patent application serial No. 60/262,450, filed Jan. 19, 2001 is entitled Cleaning Table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One of the problems that visits any successful angler or hunter is that any game or fish that is acquired must be cleaned expeditiously and sanitarily prior to storage or consumption. In the field, frequently, there is nothing readily available in the field to clean the fish and game.

[0003] Frequently the person will return with the catch of fish or game and then be confronted with the problem of where to clean the fish or game. In cleaning the fish or game the eatable portions must be separated from the waste materials and preferably not allowed to contact the waste materials and the waste materials properly disposed. When the game is cleaned inside, such as in a kitchen, a mess is created that is difficult to clean up. When the game is cleaned outside, where cleanup can be easier, there is frequently no suitable work surface available.

[0004] Various solutions of this problem have been suggested over time, and the solutions divide themselves, broadly, into two groups. The first group is exemplified by a fileting board with a spring clip attached. This allows a person to clip a fish to the board and either scale or filet the fish. While this solves one problem, it does not address cleaning of small game, other than to provide a portable cutting board. A more important problem not addressed is separation and containment of wastes. There is no provision for waste collection so the mess created by the waste must still be cleaned up in the usual time consuming manner.

[0005] The second group is exemplified by a special purpose collapsible table. While the second group also provides a portable cutting surface and may provide, to varying degrees, a mechanism to contain wastes, they tend to be large and difficult to pack and carry. When free-standing the second group would require placement on essentially level ground for use. The second group is better suited to service a camp where the game or fish of multiple people will cleaned. Additionally, neither group provides a mechanism necessary for storing the tools and supplies necessary for cleaning the game or fish.

[0006] What is needed is a compact portable cleaning stand that may be collapsed for storage and transport and readily set up for use. The cleaning stand should have a securable storage area for storing the tools and supplies needed to clean the fish and game, a replaceable cutting board to cut and filet upon, and mechanism of attaching a readily available trash bag to collect the waste for easy disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A portable work stand, preferably for cleaning fish and game is provides with a table, a plurality of legs and a cutting board. The table has a frame preferably with rails, stiles, and a crosstray. The cross tray may be located between the rails and attached on each end to a stile. The cross tray may further have a pair of retaining slots formed in and extending upwardly from the bottom of the cross tray.

[0008] The legs have a foot section and upright sections. The upright sections may be located at an end of a foot. The upright sections may have ends adapted for rotatable attachment to the table. Preferably, the upright sections have a length such that when the legs are folded adjacent the table the foot will selectively mate with the retaining slots to retain the legs in a folded position.

[0009] A bag may be secured to the frame and extended therethrough. The bag, designed for collection of waste, secures to the frame via fasteners and at least one bag fastener.

[0010] A cutting board may be adapted for selective attachment to the table. The cutting surface should be easy to clean and of a suitable material for knife work.

[0011] Advantageously, the present invention provides a cutting stand, which can be folded into a compact form, carried until a need for use arises, set up as a table, and refolded for later use.

[0012] Also advantageously, the table may provide an area through which a bag may be attached for collection of waste removed from a fish or animal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the table in an extended position;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view showing the table with the cutting board removed, exposing the tray.

[0015]FIG. 2a shows the tray slot in the frame in a partial cut away taken from FIG. 2 and rotated 90 degrees

[0016]FIG. 3 is a partial view showing the leg upright in position to be secured to the frame;

[0017]FIG. 3a shows an alternative embodiment of the leg of FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view showing the table in a collapsed state with the leg secured within the slot of the frame;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a prospective view of the tray;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the table in a collapsed state showing the leg secured to the frame;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a top view of the cutting board; and

[0022]FIG. 8 is a partial view showing engagement of the cutting board with a fastener.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, is a portable work stand or cleaning table 10 in an extended position. The stand 10 is provided with a tab e 12, legs 14, and a cutting board 16. In operation the stand 10 is arranged as a table. In a storage state, the stand 10 collapses into a suitcase shape in a collapsed position.

[0024] The table 12 has a frame 20, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 2 a. The frame 20 may have rails 22, stiles 24, and a cross tray 26. The frame 20 preferably has at least on tray slot 23 formed in the inner periphery of the frame 20 and at least one supply tray 46, which may have a tongue 48 sized to mate with the tray slot 23 in the frame 20 and locate the supply tray 46 within the frame 20. The supply tray 46, useful for holding supplies such as additional waste bags, knives and other supplies, can further include a retaining lip 50 for placement adjacent to and abutting the cross tray 26 to retain the supply tray 46 in the frame 20. The cross tray 26 preferably has a pair of leg retaining slots 28 formed in and extending upwardly from the bottom 29 of the cross tray 26. Leg retaining slots 28 can be comma or curve shaped. The rails 22 and stiles 24 may be formed of metal, hard flexible plastic or like material. The cross tray 26 can be located between the rails 22 and attached on each end 2hereto The cross tray 23 may be “U” shaped in cross section to provide additional storage space for utensils.

[0025] The rails 22 and stiles 24 may be joined generally in a rectangular shape either integrally, with fasteners, or other known manners. Table 12 may include a plurality of fasteners 30 projecting upwardly from the frame 20.

[0026] A rag holder 32, as shown in FIG. 2, may also be included on the frame 20 of the cleaning table. The rag holder 32 is placed to allow a user to hold a rag or cloth for cleaning of hands during the use of the cleaning table 10.

[0027] Legs 14 have a foot section 64 with a foot cover 65 and upright sections 66, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6. Desirably the legs 14 include a pair of U-shaped legs 14. The upright sections 66, which may be attached integrally or otherwise to a foot 64, having ends 68 adapted for attachment to the table 12. That is, the rotatable attachment of the legs 14 to the frame 20 include a pivot 36 formed in the frame 20 mated with a pivot point 70 formed terminally on the leg uprights 66. Pivot point 70 of each leg upright 66 may be defined in a flattened section 60 of the leg upright 66 such that leg 14 may be riveted, bolted or otherwise fastened to pivots 36 of the frame 20. Alternative to a flattened section 60, pivot point 70 of each leg upright 66 may have a loop 71 formed in the end 68 of the leg upright 66. Upright sections 66 desirably have a length, such that when the legs are folded adjacent the table 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the foot 64 will selectively mate with the retaining slot 28 and retain tile legs 14 in a folded position, partially secured within the slot 28 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] Cutting board 16, shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, preferably is adapted for selective attachment to the table 12. The cutting board 16 desirably is selectively attached by urging the cutting board 16 to abut the plurality of fasteners 30 using a movable clip 40. The movable clip 40 may be selectively deformable to retain the cutting board 16 in conjunction with fasteners 30. The movable clip 40 may be selectively moved to engage the mortise 72 to retaining the cutting board 16 or free the cutting board 16 from the frame 20 for cleaning purposes or joined to the frame 20, acting as a cover for tray 46. The selective movement may be achieved with a male threaded member 44 extending inwardly from the clip 40 through the frame 20 and a matable female threaded member 42 selectively tightenable to move the movable clip 40 to retain the cutting board 16. Cutting board 16, while shown rectangular in shape, may be any shape providing a suitable cutting surface and otherwise operable with the invention 10. The two adjacent corners 74 of the cutting board 16 are shown relieved to mate with the respective fasteners 30 and may be chamfered to guide the cutting board 16 between the plurality of fasteners 30. A mortise 72 may be formed adjacent and inwardly extending from the edge of the cutting board 16 opposite relieved corners 76.

[0029] One rail 22, the stiles 24 and crosstray 26 define a bag aperture 92 for insertion of the bag 90 therethrough. The bag 90 may secure to fasteners 30 and bag fastener 94 and extending downwardly through bag aperture 92. Preferably, the bag 92 is a polymer style bag commonly available either in the form of a trash bag or t-shirt bag (commonly used to package groceries). The bag 92 operates most effectively in conjunction with the cutting board 16, when the cutting board 16 overlies the bag 92. In this position, waste from the fish or game may be easily swept off the cutting board 16 into the bag 92 for easy disposal. The bag aperture 92 is sized to accept commonly available garbage bags such as thirteen gallon bags that are sold for kitchen garbage can use or “T-shirt” bags which are commonly used as product bags by numerous retailers. Additional bag fastener holes 94 are provided for varied placement of bag fastener 93 to accommodate bags of other sizes.

[0030] In operation, the cleaning table 10 may be taken from its collapsed or stored position as shown in FIG. 6. Feet 64 are squeezed together and thereby removed from the leg retaining slot 28. The legs 14 are folded outwardly and the table set upright. The cutting board 16 is removed via manipulation of the female and male members 42, 44 and adjustment of the clip 40. Bag 90, a knife (not shown) and other supplies may be removed from the supply tray 46. Bag 90 is secured over fasteners 30 and bag fastener 94. Bag 90 may further be wrapped about the corners where stiles 24 meet rail 22 to provide a square opening. Bag 90 is pushed through bag aperture 92. Cutting board 16 is then rejoined to the frame 20 via abutment of the fasteners 30 with adjacent corners 74 and re-securement of clip 40. The table 10 is now positioned in the extended position ready for food preparation. Waste material may be guided into the bag 90 to remove it from the working surface and easily dispose of the waste material. When finished the bag 90 may be removed for disposal, the cleaning table 10 may be washed and reconfigured to its collapsed state.

[0031] In an alternate mode of operation, the cleaning table 10 may be used by placing the cleaning table 10 on the lap of a seated user. In this mode of operation, the legs 14 may remain folded and retained in the retaining slots 28 or may be opened. This mode of operation is useful where there is not surface of a suitable height to support the cleaning table at the location of the user. Other than the placement of the cleaning table 10, the operation of the cleaning table is as has been described above.

[0032] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A portable work stand comprising: a. a table having a frame, and a crosstray, the cross tray located within the frame and attached thereto, the cross tray further having a pair of leg retaining slots defined in the bottom of the cross tray; b. a plurality of legs, having ends adapted for rotatable attachment to the table, such that when the legs are folded adjacent the table the legs will selectively mate with the leg retaining slot and retain the legs in a folded position; and c. a cutting board adapted for selective attachment to the table.
 2. A portable work stand comprising: a. a table having a frame, the frame having rails, stiles, and a crosstray, the cross tray located between the rails and attached on each end to a stile, the cross tray further define a pair of leg retaining slots; b. a plurality of legs having a foot section and upright sections, the upright sections joined to the foot sections, the upright sections having ends adapted for rotatable attachment to the table, the upright sections having a length such that when the legs are folded adjacent the table the foot will selectively mate with the leg retaining slot and retain the legs in a collapsed position; and c. a cutting board adapted for selective attachment to the table.
 3. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the rails and stiles are metal.
 4. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the rails and stiles are “U” shaped.
 5. The invention as described in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of fasteners extending upwardly from and attached to the frame.
 6. The invention as described in claim 5 further comprising a waste bag attached to the fasteners and extends through the frame.
 7. The invention as described in claim 2 further comprising a waste bag extending through and retained on the frame.
 8. The invention as described in claim 2 further comprising at least one supply tray having a tongue sized to mate with a tray slot defined in the frame and the supply tray further having a retaining lip for communication with the cross tray to retain the supply tray.
 9. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the leg retaining slots are curve shaped.
 10. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the rotatable attachment of the legs to the frame further comprises a pivot formed in the frame mated with a pivot point formed terminally on the leg uprights.
 11. The invention as described in claim 10 wherein the pivot point of each leg upright comprises a flattened section of the leg upright and an aperture formed therein.
 12. The invention as described in claim 10 wherein the pivot point of each leg upright comprises a loop formed in the end of the leg upright.
 13. The invention as described in claim 5 wherein the cutting board is selectively attached by urging the cutting board to abut the plurality of fasteners.
 14. The invention as described in claim 13 wherein a movable clip is selectively adjustable to retain the cutting board.
 15. The invention as described in claim 14 wherein the clip is selectively adjusted via a male threaded member extending inwardly from the clip through the frame in communication with a matable female threaded member.
 16. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the cutting board is generally rectangular in shape.
 17. The invention as described in claim 5 wherein two adjacent corners of the cutting board are relieved to mate with the respective fasteners.
 18. The invention as described in claim 17 wherein the two adjacent relieved corners of the cutting board are further chamfered to guide the cutting board between the plurality of fasteners.
 19. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the cutting board further comprises a mortise formed adjacent and inwardly extending from the edge of the cutting board opposite relieved corners. 